Steam mop

ABSTRACT

A steam mop having a main body with a boiler, a water container, a mechanical water pump between the boiler and container and at least one side arm connecting the boiler steam outlet to a fabric steam pocket frame. The water pump is actuated by movement of the mop when cleaning to send water to the boiler. The steam pocket frame is substantially rectangular with a plurality of baffles to distribute steam disposed substantially perpendicular to a steam channel having openings to distribute steam between the baffles. A replaceable fabric pocket fits snugly over the frame to distribute cleaning steam to the surface to be cleaned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a steam mop, and more particularly toa steam mop including a mechanical water pump that is actuated by themovement of a user to pump water from a water container to a boiler forgenerating steam to be distributed to a steam pocket applied to asurface to be cleaned.

Conventional mops have been widely used for cleaning floors. However,conventional mops have not been effective at cleaning dirt in smallcrevices and floor gaps. In addition, conventional mops require frequentrising since mops can only effectively clean a small surface area at atime.

Steaming devices used to apply steam to household objects are wellknown. The uses of the devices vary widely, and may include theapplication of steam to drapes or other fabrics to ease wrinkles, andthe application of steam to objects to assist in cleaning the objects.

Typical steam devices have a reservoir for storing water that isconnected to an electrical water pump with an on/off switch. The exitfrom the electric water pump is connected to a steam boiler with aheating element to heat the water. The heated water generates steam,which may be directed towards its intended destination through a nozzlewhich controls the application of the steam. Variation of the shape andsize of the nozzle allows for preferred distribution of generated steamto an object to be cleaned. The nozzles may be disconnectable from thesteam generator to allow different nozzles to be utilized, based on theobject to be steamed. The nozzle may be either closely coupled to thesteam generator, or located at a distance from the steam generator,requiring tubing or other steam transfer structures to be interconnectedbetween the steam generator and the discharge nozzle. Typically, it isbeneficial to provide suitable connectors between the steam generatorand the nozzle to allow either the nozzle to be connected to the steamgenerator, or to allow the interpositioning of transfer tubes or hosesbetween the steam generator and the nozzle.

In general, the nozzles used with the steam cleaners do not have largesurface areas and a cloth to absorb the liquid condensate of the steam.In order to increase the cleaning surface area, a flat fabric piece isfolded around a flat brush or nozzle. The folded fabric on top of thebrush or nozzle is secured by a clip on top of the piece. Often steaminjected behind the cloth passes through the cloth at the points thebristles contact on the cloth. This tends to wet the cloth and reducethe cleaning effectiveness of the steam. In addition, the cloth coversmust be carefully attached not to cover the front or back of the brushattachment.

Notwithstanding the wide variety of steam generating appliancesavailable, there exists the need to provide an easy to use steam mop.That will effectively improve the effective steaming surface area of thesteam cleaners. It is desirable to provide this device with the abilityfor a user to clean a larger surface area easily without worrying aboutwiping up the liquid condensate of the steam when cleaning flooring,furniture and other household items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a steam mop havinga water pump for selectively injecting water from a reservoir to aboiler is provided. The mop includes a housing with an electric boilerand a water pump coupled to a water tank with the pump being actuated bythe user's movement to pump water to the boiler for distribution to asteam pocket frame attachment. A fabric steam pocket is mounted on thesteam pocket frame to provide a improved cleaning surface.

The steam pocket frame is connected to the boiler by at least one sidearm. In one embodiment, water is stored in a water tank formed as partof the handle. Water is pumped to the boiler only when a user pushes onthe handle for generating steam to be fed to the steam pocket framethrough the side arm.

The steam pocket frame is substantially rectangular with a plurality ofbaffles extending substantially perpendicular to the cleaning surface onboth upper and lower surfaces thereof. The steam pocket frame includes acentral passageway extending perpendicular to the baffles that hasopenings between the baffles to direct steam into the space between thebaffles and up to the surfaces of a fabric steam pocket mounted on theframe.

In one embodiment, the steam pocket frame is pivotally connected to oneside arm for allowing the frame to be flipped over to provide anadditional cleaning surface. In another embodiment, there are two sidearms also allowing the frame to be flipped over. This allows the mop tobe used backward or forwards and is easy to use by right or left handedusers.

The fabric steam pocket is two layers of fabric joined at three edgeswith fasteners at the open edge for fastening over the frame, or onelayer of fabric wrapped around the frame and Velcro strips on the frontor back (or left or right) longitudinal side of the frame for easyinstallation over the frame. The steam pocket frame is operativelyconnected to the steam cleaner outlet pipe. When steam is injected intothe pocket, the entire surface area of the fabric may be used to steamclean a surface.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a steam mop andsteam pocket frame attachment to provide increased steam cleaningsurface area.

Another object of the invention is to provide a steam mop with amechanical pump that is actuated by the user's movement of pushing themop forward and pulling backward to clean and does not need a high steampressure system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fabric steam pocket thatis easily mounted on a steam pocket frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steam pocket frameattachment with a fabric cover that does not allow steam to escape atpoints of contact with brush bristles.

Yet another object of the invention is a fabric steam pocket that can beused for dual side cleaning.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises a product possessing the features,properties, and the relation of components which will be exemplified inthe product hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention willbe indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of steam mop having one side arm includinga steam pocket frame attachment for receiving a fabric steam pocketconstructed and arranged in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a housing and assembly for use with thesteam mop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bellows pump suitable for use with thesteam mop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a water container suitable for use with thesteam mop and handle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a handle suitable for use with the steammop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a steam pocket frame for use with thesteam mop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a plan view in cross-section of the steam pocket frame ofFIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fabric steam pocket suitable for usewith the steam pocket frame attachment of FIG. 11;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1 with a fabric steampocket mounted on the attachment frame;

FIG. 9 exploded perspective view showing how the steam mop of the typeshown in FIG. 1 is assembled;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a steam mop including two side armsconstructed and arranged in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fabric steam pocket mounted ontothe steam pocket frame of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing how the steam mop ofFIG. 10 is assembled; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a piston pump suitable for use with thesteam mop of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam mop 10 constructed and arrangedin accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Mop 10 includes asteam pocket frame 21 mounted to a housing or main body 16 by a side arm17. A water container or tank 14 is mounted to the upper part of housing16 with a handle 11 and in connected to a boiler 46 by a pump 29 havinga one-way outlet valve 37. A water container cover 19 is closed whenhandle 11 is installed. Water container 14 also has a handle releasebutton 13 for ease of use to easily detach and attach handle 11. Anytype of mechanical pump or some other means of transporting the water tothe boiler may be used with steam mop 10. Preferably, pump 29 is amechanical pump, such as a bellows pump or a piston pump, that isactuated by movement of mop 10 by a user pushing and pulling handle 11.

Steam pocket frame 21 is rectangular in shape and includes a steam inletcoupling 22 at the side end and at the end of side arm 17. Steamgenerated in a steam boiler 46 shown in FIG. 2 dispenses steam into arm17 and into frame 21. A rectangular fabric steam pocket 24 is mountedover frame 21 and is attached to the steam inlet coupling 22 sidethereof by Velcro strips 66 and 67 as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of housing 16 of steam mop 10 includingboiler 46 with a water hose 41 having a water inlet 38 and a wateroutlet 39. Water flows through one-way outlet valve 37 (shown in FIG. 3)to water inlet 38 and enters boiler 46 via through water hose 41. Asteam hose 44 with a steam inlet 42 and a steam outlet 43 is coupled toboiler 46. Water inlet 38 and boiler 46 are connected to a power sourceby a power cord 47. Steam generated in boiler 46 exits through steamhose 44 with steam inlet 42 and steam outlet 43. Conveniently, main body16 also includes an indicator light 49 to indicate when steamtemperature is appropriate for use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump thatcan be used with steam mop 10. Here, a mechanical bellows pump 29 isshown in FIG. 3 as suitable for use with steam mop 10. Bellows pump 29includes a pump inlet 29 a and a pump outlet 29 b. Bottom portion 14 bof water container 14 is attached to pump inlet 29 a through a conduit31. Arrow A shows the direction of water flow. Pump outlet 29 b isconnected to a one-way duck bill inlet valve 33. Pump inlet 29 a andpump outlet 29 b are connected by a cylindrical flexible tubular bladder33 with a plurality of creases 34. Water can only flow in one directionthrough valve 33. Pump outlet 29 b is connected to a second one-way duckbill valve 37 in the bottom portion of bellows pump 29.

Pump 29 operates when conduit 31 is moved up and down by the movement ofuser so that distance B increases and decreases. When handle 11 ispulled up and distance B decreases, water fills bellows 34. Bellows 34is compressed as handle is pushed, distance B increases and water isejected from bellows 34 through second duck bill valve 37 in bottomportion 29 a of pump 29 and into water conduit 41 and into boiler 46.Accordingly, a user may selectively deliver water to boiler 46 by themovement of pushing the mop forward and pulling the mop backward toclean. If there is no movement by the user, water is not delivered toboiler and steam is not generated. Only when the user moves the mopforward and backward will steam be generated and released. Steam mop 10is designed as a non-pressurized system. For floor cleaning there is noneed for high pressure steam. Cleaning is performed by steamdistribution to a fabric steam pocket 24 mounted on frame 21.

Water container 14 suitable for use with the steam mop 10 is shown inFIG. 4. Water container 14 has a top portion 14 a and a bottom portion14 b. Here, top portion 14 a has a cone shaped open top 28 thatfunctions as a funnel for the user to easily fill water into watercontainer 14. Water container cover 19 shown in FIG. 5 covers coneshaped open top 28 of water container 14 when assembled. A user presseshandle release button 13 to disassemble handle 11 from water container14 for ease of filling container 14.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of handle 11 for use with steam mop 10.Handle 11 has an adjustable height button 12 and includes at the distalend of water container cover 19, which connects to water container 14.Preferably, handle 11 is a telescopic handle.

FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of a rectangular steam pocket frame 21including a front wall 51, a rear wall 52, a right side wall 53 and aleft side wall 54. A plurality of baffles 58 extends from front wall 51to rear wall 52 within frame 21. Baffles 58 are planar in shape andextend perpendicular from the front wall to the back wall of frame 21.Frame 21 has right side wall 53 with steam inlet coupling 22 connectedthereto. Right side wall 53 also connects to arm 17. Frame 21 has apassageway 61 that extends from right side wall 53 to left side wall 54perpendicular to baffles 58. Passageway 61 has a plurality of vents oropenings 62 for distributing steam into the spaces between baffles 58and to a steam pocket mounted thereon. An advantage of steam pocketframe 21 is that steam rises out of upper surface of frame 21 to providea dry surface with the benefits of steam when cleaning.

FIG. 6B is a plan view in cross-section of steam pocket frame attachment21. The plurality of vents 62 are on both sides of passageway 61 and areparallel to baffles 58. FIG. 7 shows a top cross-sectional view of steampocket frame attachment 21.

In FIG. 7, steam pocket 24 is configured to slip over frame 21. In thisrespect, it is formed of a first layer 24 a and an opposed second layer24 b (not shown), each having a rectangular shape with two opposed longedges 24 c and 24 d and two opposed short sides 24 e and 24 f. Longedges 24 c and 24 d and one long side 24 f are stitched to form pocket24.

Straps 66 and 67 are fixed to an open side of steam pocket 24. In thepreferred embodiment, fasteners 66 and 67 are Velcro-type fasteners.Alternatively, straps 66 and 67 may include buttons or snaps. In eachcase, straps 66 and 67 are placed over frame 21 and secured to holdpocket 24 in place when used to clean a floor or other surface.

In the illustrated embodiment, steam pocket 24 is a cloth or towel. Itmay be formed of any suitable fabric such as cotton or a syntheticfabric, such as polyester or polyolefin fiber. Preferably, the fabric ofpocket 24 is a microfiber. Most preferably, the microfiber is asynthetic polyester microfiber.

FIG. 8 shows fabric steam pocket 24 mounted onto the steam pocket frameattachment 21 suitable for use with the steam pocket frame attachment ofFIG. 1. This is also shown by the direction of Arrow C. Steam pocketframe attachment 21 may be rotated as shown by Arrow D so user may useboth sides of steam pocket fabric 24 without having to reinstall steampocket 24. This extends the time steam pocket 24 may be used withouthaving to rinse and reinstall it.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing how the steam floor mopof the type shown in FIG. 1 is assembled, which is indicated by arrows.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of steam floor mop 100 including a steampocket frame 121 for receiving a fabric steam pocket cover constructedand arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Allelements in FIG. 10 are present and identified by the same referencenumerals plus 100. Here, a steam pocket frame 121 is mounted on thedistal end of two side arms 117 and 118 coupled to a housing 116. Steampocket frame 121 is rectangular in shape and includes a steam inletcoupling 122 at side end. A steam outlet 123 dispenses steam into sidearm 117 into a steam pocket frame fabric pocket 124. Frame 121 also hasa left side wall that has a connector 130 that connects arm 118.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a rectangular fabric steam pocket 124that shows how rectangular steam pocket fabric 124 is installed on steampocket frame 121. Fabric steam pocket 124 is wrapped around the frontwall 151 and back wall 152 circumference of steam pocket frame 121. Thisis also shown by the direction of Arrow B. Both top side and bottom sideof rectangular steam pocket fabric 124 is secured by Velcro-type strip127 to the front wall 151 or back wall 152 of steam pocket frame 121.

In the illustrated embodiment, steam pocket 124 is a cloth or towel. Itmay be formed of any suitable fabric such as cotton or a syntheticfabric, such as polyester or polyolefin fiber. Preferably, the fabric ofsteam pocket 124 is a microfiber. Most preferably, the microfiber is asynthetic polyester microfiber.

Steam inlet coupling 122 and connector 130 attached to steam pocketframe 121 and may be rotated as shown by Arrow B so user may use bothsides of steam pocket fabric 124 without having to reinstall steampocket 124. This extends the time steam pocket 124 may be used withouthaving to rinse and reinstall it.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing how the steam floor mopof the type shown in FIG. 10 is assembled, which is indicated by arrows.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a pumpthat can be used with steam mop 10. Here, a mechanical piston pump 79 isshown in FIG. 13 as suitable for use with steam mop 10. Piston pump 79includes a pump inlet 79 a and a pump outlet 79 b. Bottom portion 14 bof water container 14 is attached to pump inlet 79 a through a conduit31. Arrow A shows the direction of water flow. Pump outlet 79 b isconnected to a one-way duck bill inlet valve 33. Pump inlet 79 a andpump outlet 79 b are connected by a sealed movable joint 83 that willallow a piston 82 to move freely inside a cylinder 81 without leakingwater in between them. Water can only flow in one direction throughvalve 33. Pump outlet 79 b is connected to a second one-way duck billvalve 37 in the bottom portion of piston pump 79.

Pump 79 operates when conduit 31 is moved up and down by the movement ofuser so that distance B increases and decreases. When handle 11 ispulled up and distance B decreases, water fills the volume space in acylinder 81. The volume space in cylinder 81 is compressed by piston 82as handle is pushed, distance B increases and water is ejected fromcylinder 81 through second duck bill valve 37 in bottom portion 29 a ofpump 29 and into water conduit 41 and into boiler 46. Accordingly, auser may selectively deliver water to boiler 46 by the movement ofpushing the mop forward and pulling the mop backward to clean. If thereis no movement by the user, water is not delivered to boiler and steamis not generated. Only when the user moves the mop forward and backwardwill steam be generated and released. Steam mop 10 is designed as anon-pressurized system. For floor cleaning there is no need for highpressure steam. Cleaning is performed by steam distribution to a fabricsteam pocket 24 mounted on frame 21.

Steam floor mop 10 and 100 provides many advantages for ease of usebecause it eliminates the need for an electric water pump and an on/offswitch to activate the electric water pump. Here, the user has morecontrol over the amount of water needed to be discharged into the boilerand consequently, how much steam is needed by moving the mop forward andbackwards. In addition, steam mop is designed as a low pressure ornon-pressurized system so it is safer for the user to use. Further,since the amount of water routed to the boiler is controlled, the boilercan create steam in a short amount of time.

Steam pocket frame 21 and 121 with fabric steam pocket fabric 24 and 124in accordance with the invention provide vast improvements over placinga towel onto a bristle attachment for a steam cleaner, respectively. Theinvention avoids puncture of the cloth by the bristles and providestwice the cleaning surface. Moreover, the fabric cover is easilyinstalled and replaced.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above product without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention.Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of theinvention. A steam pocket frame attachment with a fabric pocket cover inaccordance with the invention provides a vast improvement over placing atowel onto a bristle attachment for a steam cleaned. It avoids punctureof the cloth by the bristles and provide twice the cleaning surface.Moreover, the fabric cover is easily installed and replaced.

1. A steam mop, comprising: a main body having a boiler with a waterinlet and a steam outlet positioned therein; a pump having an inlet andan outlet with the pump outlet connected to the boiler inlet; a watercontainer for storing water connected to the pump inlet; and a steampocket frame connected to the steam outlet by at least one tubular sidearm; wherein activation of the pump pumps water from the water containerto the boiler for generation of steam.
 2. The steam mop of claim 1,further including a handle coupled to the pump whereby movement of thehandle activates the pump.
 3. The steam mop of claim 1, wherein thewater container is an elongated cylinder.
 4. The steam mop of claim 3,wherein the water container has a filling spout at one end of theelongated cylinder.
 5. The steam mop of claim 5, wherein the fillingspout is in the shape of cone.
 6. The steam mop of claim 2, wherein thewater container is positioned between the pump inlet and the handle. 7.The steam mop of claim 1, wherein the pump is a mechanical bellows pumpwith a one-way inlet valve and a one-way outlet valve.
 8. The steam mopof claim 1, wherein the pump is a mechanical piston pump with a one-wayinlet valve and a one-way outlet valve.
 9. The steam mop of claim 1,wherein the steam pocket frame is substantially rectangular with a frontwall, a rear wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall with acentral hollow steam channel running from one sidewall to the other sidewall; and includes a plurality of baffles disposed perpendicular to thecentral steam channel between the front and rear walls, wherein the sidearm is connected to the central steam channel on the at least one sidewall.
 10. The steam mop of claim 2, wherein the handle is a telescopichandle.
 11. The steam mop of claim 2, wherein the bottom of the handleis a water container cover.
 12. The steam mop of claim 1, wherein thereare two opposed side arms connecting the steam outlet of the main bodyto the steam pocket frame.
 13. A steam pocket frame for mounting afabric steam pocket for use with a steam mop, wherein the frame is asubstantially rectangular frame, the frame comprising: a front wall; arear wall; and a right side wall; and a left side wall; a steam inlet onat least one side wall is connected to the outside of one side wall; aplurality of baffles disposed perpendicular to the steam pocket framebetween the front and rear walls; and the frame is connected to thesteam inlet for receiving steam from the mop and to distribute steam toa steam pocket mounted on the frame.
 14. The steam pocket frame of claim13, wherein the steam pocket frame is adaptable to be rotatably mountedwhen attached to a steam inlet arm.
 15. The steam pocket frame of claim13, wherein the steam pocket frame has a passageway that extends betweenthe side walls perpendicular to the baffles.
 16. The steam pocket frameof claim 15, wherein the passageway has openings to direct steam intothe space between the baffles.